I ate dinner with Avery and Blaise, and then I’m waking up in one of the seniors’ bathrooms. I only know that for sure because I’d accidentally used it on my first day and had been bitched out by one of Joey’s flunkies. The large, ornate mirrors are a dead giveaway. The door is locked from the inside, so I know I’ve done that myself, and I’m freezing. My whole body is shivering uncontrollably. It may be the temperature, or it could be the aftereffects of whatever it is Avery drugged me with.
I swear under my breath at my own idiocy. It must have been slipped in the juice. I’d forgotten the number-one rule of being around these assholes: never accept a drink from them.
I push myself up to stand on my shaking legs and look in the large mirror. I still have all my clothes on, which is a relief, but there’s vomit all down my shirt and splattered on my legs. My hair is a mess and there are deep, black circles under my eyes. I can’t see any new bruises or scratches, and I hope that Avery’s moral code includes making sure I wasn’t assaulted while I was out of it. I look as though I’ve been out drinking all night, and I’m sure that’s the end game here. Underage drinking by paying students is frowned upon and will result in a warning, but I’m held to a different standard here at Hannaford. I’ll lose my scholarship if I’m caught and breathalyzed.
I pull my phone out of my bag and thank whatever guiding hand led me to this bathroom while I was out of it. I take a deep breath before hitting call. I know Matteo has the resources to help me. How else had he gotten me out of breaking Harlow’s nose? He answers right away, and I don’t even bother with pleasantries, I just drive right into an explanation of what has happened. He listens intently.
“It’s bad, Matteo. I’m going to get kicked out if you can’t help me.”
“Maybe you should come home, kid.” His cool tones do nothing to soothe my nerves.
“Fuck that. I’m not going to get run out of this place by spoiled rich kids. Please, just… help me.”
He sighs at me, like I’m being unreasonable. I know he’s getting pissed at me for not just leveling the damn building and being done with it, but if I have to, I can start calling in favors.
“Give me ten minutes.”
I hang up and slump down on the wall again. The vomit on my shirt is still wet, it’s cold, and the smell is truly horrendous. I can’t wait for a hot shower and my bed. Fuck these rich dicks. I wipe down my shirt and my legs as best I can to clear away the vomit. Tacos have now been ruined for me forever. Thanks, Avery. I stare at the wall and I must zone out, because when my phone pings again, it makes me jump.
All sorted. Just walk back to your room. Call me if you need anything else. M.
I exhale and open the door. There are students standing around in the hall, and I can see Avery’s little flunkies with their phones out. I step into the hall and I can hear them whispering and giggling among themselves. I keep my head high as I start to head back to the dorms. I get as far as the main staircase before I’m faced with Avery, Ash, and Blaise. Avery looks victorious, but the boys both look a little sick at the sight of me. Clearly, they’re not fans of girls covered in vomit, which is mildly reassuring. There’s a teacher I don’t recognize standing with them, wearing gym clothes.
“Mr. Embley? I found Miss Anderson. She’s a little worse for wear, and I think I can smell alcohol.” Avery’s voice is saccharine, and I could vomit again at the sound of it. Mr. Embley steps out from his office, and I try not to cringe. Did Matteo know I’d be facing this teacher? How did he think I’d be getting out of this? Fuck, I’m doomed. Before I can spiral any further into a panic, Mr. Embley ushers me forward.
“Miss Beaumont, please let Miss Anderson pass. She doesn’t look well.”
I sigh in relief. I shouldn’t ever doubt Matteo. His reach is unparalleled, and he makes Avery look like the child she is. He may be infinitely more dangerous, but at least he’s the devil I know. I start back up the stairs as the whispers get louder and more insistent.
“Mr. Embley, aren’t you going to breath test her? I saw her drinking last night.” Avery’s voice had changed back to the sharp edge she always reserved for people she thought were lesser than her. It was the first time I’d heard her use it on a teacher.
I level her with a look as I go to pass her. I feel like we’ve come to some sort of an agreement where she’ll dish out punishments, and I’ll take them just the same. Ash steps in front of me so I’m forced to stop. I think about stepping into him and getting my vomit on him but stop myself. He’s looking at me, at my face and the bruises under my eyes. For a second it looks like he’s checking to make sure I’m okay. He seems uneasy about what his sister has done to me.
“Let her pass. She needs some rest. Do you need the nurse, Miss Anderson? No? Then head straight to your room, please. The Jackal sends his regards.”
Ash’s eyes widen slightly, like he’s never heard anyone disobey his sister before, and Blaise crosses his arms. I smirk at them both. The moment would feel a lot more victorious if I wasn’t cold and disgusting.
“Looks like you’re not the only one with connections, Floss,” I whisper so only they can hear me.
Ash finally moves, and I walk back to my room, slowly and with my head held high. As I round the corner to the girls’ dorm I see Lauren and Jessie studying in the sitting area. They look up and see me, their jaws drop. Lauren scrambles to get up, but then she glances around the room to check and see who else is watching. I clench my jaw and give her a quick shake of my head. I’m frustrated at how afraid she is, how easily she bows down to the whims of the more popular students.
I make it to my room, and I grab my shower bag. I make it four steps away from my door when Harley steps out of one of the other girls’ rooms and directly in my path. Annabelle steps out after him. I had no idea she lived two doors down from me, that the guys had been fucking her two doors down from me, and as irrational as it may seem, it pisses me off to know how close I am to that.
If looks could kill, Annabelle would be buried by now.
Harley glances at me, and then levels her with a glare so dark I’d be worried if I were in her shoes. She ignores him completely. The smirk she gives me only lasts as long as it takes me to flip her the bird as I shove past them both and into the bathroom to shower.
I remember to take everything into the shower stall with me this time.
* * *
“Out.”
Harley’s voice bounces off the bathroom tiles. I’ve stripped out of my dirty uniform, and I’ve barely got the shower running. I think for a second he’s talking to me, and then I hear the other girls leave and the door to the communal shower close and lock.
“I’d rather not be locked in here with you,” I say, my voice still raw as I wrap a towel around my naked body. I don’t know if I think he’ll burst in here with me or what, but it feels too intimate to be naked with only the stall door between us.
“Just have your shower. We’ll talk once you’re clean.”
